Flags are used as icons of places and nations. Hence, most flags are designed around a certain idea or image that is somehow associated with the land being represented. This is especially true of national flags. The flag of each and every country in the world contain elements of symbolism and, many times, these symbols occur in the form of colors. Most times when a flag includes a certain color it is entwined with some sort of commentary on the country in which the flag represents.

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Black is a color that appears in several flags across the globe. Jamaica, Estonia, the Bahamas, Barbados, South Korea, Germany, Belgium, Egypt and South Africa are just a few examples of some countries that have black in their flags. Although often associated with all things dark and dreary, black can also represent strength and perseverance. For example, the black in the Jamaican flag represents the strength and creativity of the Jamaican people that has enabled them to overcome many struggles throughout their history. In South Korea the black on the flag is symbolic of the balance between darkness and light, day and night, since it contrasts with the white background of the flag.

Since mostly all flags are iconic of the places they represent by studying the flags of different countries it is possible to learn more about the specific nation and why certain color schemes and shapes appear in the flag. Included here is a slide show of five flags that contain the color black.

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Meagan Meehan is a published author of poems, short stories, novels, and articles in numerous publications. She is also a cartoonist and an award-winning abstract artist. Meagan holds a bachelor's in English Literature from New York Institute of Technology and a master's in Communication from Marist College.